DCP puts Murkomen on the spot over remarks on party launch chaos
The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) has pointed an accusing finger at the Interior Cabinet Secretary after he said the violence witnessed during the party’s launch on Thursday, May 15, 2025, arose from a dispute over money.
In a statement on Friday, May 16, 2025, DCP indicated that the violence was sponsored by agents of the state as part of a wider strategy to constrict the democratic space.
“We strongly condemn the incident involving goons who were sent to disrupt the unveiling of our Party at our Head Office yesterday. This shameful act is a clear indication that our political progress is unsettling our opponents,” the party said.
Intimidation tactics
“Kenya is a democratic nation, and every citizen has the constitutional right to associate freely and form political parties. Intimidation tactics and acts of political thuggery have no place in our democracy.”
DCP observed that they were dismayed by the CS’s remarks that the melee that ensued shortly after the event ended arose from a struggle over money to be shared among Gachagua’s supporters, noting that this was not only false but also reckless.
“We are equally shocked by the reckless and baseless statement made by CS Kipchumba Murkomen, claiming that the individuals involved were invited and promised money. Such a statement is not only false but also dangerously irresponsible. It mirrors the same false narrative used when hired goons attempted to disrupt a church event attended by our party leader, Rigathi Gachagua,” DCP noted.
The party equally maintained that their members would not submit to intimidation by the state, and that their mission to capture power in the 2027 polls remains on course.
Remain focused
“Let it be known that our party will not be intimidated or distracted by sponsored hooliganism. We remain steadfast and focused on our mission for a better, united Kenya. Wantam (One term) is real,” DCP stated.
The remarks come just hours after Gachagua condemned the violence witnessed at the launch if the party, claiming that it was becoming a trend for the state to disrupt his political meetings.
“Stop sending goons to attack me, my family, and supporters. We have rights and freedoms to enjoy like other Kenyans. Like a gentleman, just accept that you lost the trust and support of the people and move on,” Gachagua said in a statement on Thursday, May 15, 2025.
In a briefing to members of the press on Thursday, May 15, 2025, Murkomen said that preliminary investigations pointed to wrangles over money as the cause of the tensions seen during the launch of the party.
The CS also revealed that the police were not invited to provide security for the event.
“Our National Police Service are carrying out investigations to see what exactly happened when those political leaders were launching their own political party. There is no indication that the National Police Service were notified about this meeting so that they can provide proper security,” Murkomen said.
“Preliminary investigations also indicate that some of the supporters who were invited to come for this function were expecting to be paid some amount, and as a result of fighting over those resources, there was a melee, which unfortunately led to a stampede,” he added.
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Arnold Ngure
General reporter with a bias for crime reporting, human interest stories and tech. Reach out via: [email protected]
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